Summer NAMM 2015: New BOSS Digital Delay

DD-500 claimed to be the most powerful and versatile digital delay pedal ever made   08-Jul-15

BOSS has introduced the DD-500, which they describe as the most powerful and versatile digital delay pedal ever made. With a claim like that, it's probably best if they explain why in their own words...

"Filled with newly developed BOSS technology, this amazing stompbox offers 12 distinctive delay modes and extraordinary audio quality, along with deep editing controls, a graphic display, patch memories, MIDI, and much more. Small in size and massive in creative potential, the DD-500 allows musicians to create any delay sound they can imagine, and then some.

The DD-500 delivers its sophisticated sound-making capabilities in a compact design that fits easily on any pedalboard. Each delay mode has been carefully crafted for a unique sonic personality and highly musical tones at every setting, realized by high-powered DSP running at 32-bit/96 kHz.

Included among the DD-500's 12 modes are basic delays, warm analog and tape echo types, pattern-based effects, and complex modern delay lines that employ pitch shifting, filtering, and other unique processing. The pedal's Vintage Digital mode offers BOSS' first emulations of sought-after classics from the 1980s, including the legendary SDE-2000 and SDE-3000 rack units from Roland and the BOSS DD-2, the first stompbox digital delay. 

Hands-on knobs allow users to quickly shape essential parameters and create great sounds right away. Each delay type also includes a semi-parametric four-band EQ, modulation, ducking, and many other parameters, enabling a huge range of tonal refinement. The large, integrated LCD fully supports the DD-500's immense capabilities, providing clear visibility of delay time, patch ID, and more on one screen, plus intuitive navigation for detailed parameter tweaks, naming, and system management.

With its freely assignable controls, the DD-500 offers unmatched creative expression and performance flexibility. By default, the A, B, and TAP/CTL switches provide control for two patches, bypass, bank selection, tap tempo, and more. However, they can be customized to operate in alternate ways, such as providing top-level access to three different delay patches, or controlling various real-time functions like Warp, Twist, and many others. Additional parameters can be controlled via an optional expression pedal or external switches, and MIDI I/O opens up even more options with advanced setups.

Along with its other capabilities, the DD-500 includes an independent Phrase Loop function with up to 60 seconds of stereo recording time (120 seconds in mono). USB is on board as well, providing a simple computer connection for patch backup and MIDI control with DAW software.

The DD-500 features a 100-percent analog dry signal path, and users have their choice of buffered-bypass or true-bypass operation. And with the ability to run on four AA-size batteries or an optional AC adapter, the DD-500 is equally suited for grab-and-go playing, pedalboard installations, and studio setups."

Pricing and Availability:
£285

More information:

• Boss DD-500